Method and apparatus for orienting, peeling, halving, and coring pears



G. A. DUNN METHoD AND APPARATUS FOR ORIENTING,

Apg. 24, 1.948.

FEELING, HALVING, AND CORING. FEARS Filed Oct. 5, 1942 14 Sheets-Sheet 1 lll IIIII n x I w vllt Nkht #lasik u n Aug. 24, 194s.

Filed Oct. 5, 1942 A. DUNN 2,447,640 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ORIENTING, FEELING, HALVING, AND CORING YEARS 14 Sheets- Sheet 2 Aug. 24,` 1948. G. A. DUNN 2,447,640

METHOD AND APPARATUS `FOR ORIENTING, FEELING, HALVING. AND CORING FEARS Filed Oct. 5, 1942 14 Sheets-Sheet 3 (lilla/b Aug. 24, 1948. G. A. DUNN METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ORIENTING, FEELING, HALVING, AND CORING FEARS 14 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed oct.- 5. A1943 Aug. 24, 1948. G. A. DUNN METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ORIENTING, PEELING, HALVING, AND CORING, FEARS 14 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 5, 1942 Aug. 24, 1948. 2,447,640

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ORIENTING, FEELING, HALVING, AND coruna FEARS Filed Oct. 5, 1942 14 Sheets-Sheet 6 A. IN VEN TOR.

G. A. DUNN 2,447,640

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METHOD AND AEPARATUS EoR OEIENTING, FEELING, EALVING, AND comme PEARs Filed Oct. 5, 1942 14 Sheets-Sheet 8 G. A. DUNN METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ORIENTING, v

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A FEELING, HALvING, AND coruna FEARS Filed oct. 5, 1942 NECK HGDUWN CENTER UP `1\O}c|. HP 015ml( INVENTOR.

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Filed Oct. 5, 1942 DUNN METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ORIENTING, FEELING, HALVING, AND CORING. FEARS 14 Sheets-Sheet 9 171 Iii 7 162 l fl-v 214 149 "4f: f w 9 INVENTOR.

Aug. 24, 1948. G. A. DUNN 2,447,540

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ORIENTING, FEELING, HALVING, AND CORING FEARS Filed Oct. 5, 1942 14 Sheets-.Sheet 10 182 /51 j fg] f5 -150 v l E {'55 l 149 152 4- l 131%@ 1'" I 146m I f 09 5 14 134| a 156 y E//JI 4 145 140 /JZ .m

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Aug. 24, 1948. G. A. DUNN 2,447,640

f METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ORIENTING, PEELING, HALVING, AND CORING PEARS Filed 001'.. 5, 1942 14 Sheets-Sheet 11 IN V EN TOR.

CU. 19am/Yu Aug. 24, 1948. G. A. DUNN 2,447,640

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ORIENTING, FEELING, HALVING, AND CORING FEARS 14 Sheets-Sheet 12 Filed Oct. 5, 1942 a] INVENTOR.

Aug. 24, 1948. G, A DUNN 2,447,640

AND APPARATUS FOR ORIENTING,

METHOD FEELING, HALVING, AND CORING FEARS Filed Oct. 5, 1942 14 Sheets-Sheet 13 INVENTOR.

" 5 WMU/.194mm Aug. 24, 1948. G. A. DUNN METHOD AND APPARATUS FoR ORIENTING, FEELING, HALVING, AND comme PEAns 14 Sheets-Sheet `14.

Filed Oct. 5, 1.942

IN VEN TOR.

Patented Aug. 24, V19448 UNITED sTATEs PATENT OFFICE METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ORIENTING, FEELING, HALVING, AND CORING FEARS Guy A. Dunn, oakland, cam., signor incaufornia lackin g Corporation, San Francisco,

Calif., a corporation o! New York Application October 5, 1942,.-` Serial No. 460,812

through a series of operations continuouslyv to complete the preparation. The apparatus and method are of the continuous type as differentiatedfrom the intermittently operating type of machine.

In the successful development of a continuous method and apparatus for the handling of pears, it is necessary because of their irregularity of size, shape and contour to establish points of reference on or in the fruit itself which are correlated and from which all operations are carried out. In accordance with my invention, I therefore establish two points of reference: (1) An axis through the pear which closely coincides with the pear stem axis, and (2) a plane of reference at right angles. or transverse, to this established axis. Utilizing these established references, I work from these points of reference in carrying out all the operations required for the preparation of the pear for use.

It is therefore an object of my invention to provide a method oi preparing a pear for use which includes the establishment of two transverse reference points on or in the structure of the fruit.

It is another object of my invention to provide a method of preparation of a pear for use which is of the continuous type, i. e., where the pears are continuously brought into the method and are continuously operated upon until they are completely peeled, cored. seeded and halved.

Another object of my invention is to provide a method of preparing pears for use such as canning which includes the locating or positioning of pears to determine a reference axis upon which Claims. (Cl. 14S-33) 2 points of reference the pear is held during peeling and one of which points of reference determines the coring and seed-pod-removing operations.

Another object oi' my invention is to provide an apparatus for preparing pears for canning which is oi the continuously operating type into which the pears may be continuously fed, positioned,

and upon which transverse points of reference are established and from which transverse points of reference all operation upon the pear are performed as, for example, peeling, coring, seed-pod removing and halving.

Other objects and advantages of this invention `it is believed will be apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment' thereof as illustrated in the accompany drawings.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of the invention and method embodied in my invention illustrating the operations as performed upon the pear.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the pear preparation machine embodying my invention.

the pear is held while determininga reference -fa metliod of preparing pears for use such as canning, which includes the establishment of transverse points of reference from both of which Figure 3 is a perspective view of the feed head.

Figure 4 is a plan view oi' one unit oi the feed turret.

Figure 5 is an elevation of one unit of the feed turret.

Figure 6 is a. detached elevation diagrammatic in character of the feed ring and actuating means therefor illustrated partly in section.

Figure 7 is a plan view of the feed ring means of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a detached plan diagram oi the feed head pear-holding clamps and actuating means.

Figure 9 is a detached elevation diagrammatic in character of the calyx end axis locating means of the feed head.

Figure 10 is a plan view of the structure illustrated in Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a detached elevation partly in vertical section of the reference planesforming the calyx and stem ends trimming means embodied in my invention.

Figure 12 is a diagrammatic view of the cam control means for operating the feed head.

Figure 13 is a iragmental sectional elevation of the peeling and curing turret embodied in my invention. l

Figure 14 is a sectional elevation of the remaining portion of the peeling turret illustrated in VFigure 13. l

Figure 15 is a diagrammatic plan view partly in horizontal section of the reference plane stop 3 and actuating means embodied in my invention.

Figure 16 is a detached sectional elevation of a peeling head embodied in my invention.

Figure 17 is a sectional plan view partly in broken horizontal sections to illustrate the peeling arm holding and actuating means and the gear operating and cam control means therefor.

Figure 18 is a perspective view of the peeling members.

Figure 19 is a view diagrammatic in character illustrating the pear peeling operation.

Figure 20 is an elevation of the pear seed-pod removing mechanism embodied in my invention.

Figure 21 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 2I-2I of Figure 20.

Figure 22 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 22-22 of Figure 20.

In describing my invention, I have diagrammatically illustrated the method of my invention in Figure 1 wherein it is illustrated as: The pear winch is to be peeled, cored, split into halves, and from which the seed-pod or area containing the seeds is to be removed, is fed to a feed ring I, the opening of which is of a diameter suiilcient to receive the small or stem end of a pear but is insufficient to permit the larger or calyx end of the pear to pass therethrough. In thisl ring I the pear is therefore held when quickly thrust into the ring I in a substantially vertical position.

In order to establish a reference 'axis from which the operations are performed, the pear is centered on the ring I through the medium of a center 2 which passes into the calyx 3 of the pear, establishing in cooperation with the ring I a vertical axis through the pear. The center 2, operating in the calyx through the medium of its center point 4, acts to establish this reference axis at approximately the stem axis of the pear. With the pear thus positioned, it is then gripped by means of clamps 5 from its exterior which hold the pear in the established position before the center 2 is withdrawn.

As will hereinafter be set forth, the clamps 5 are of the compensating type so that they compensate for the position of the pear as held by the ring I and center 2 and are then locked in this compensating position as they lact toc1amp the pear.

The pear is then progressed between a reference plane cutting disc 6 and the stem end trimmingdisc 1. As will hereinafter be described, the position of the ring I vertically is determined by the length ofthe pear and operatively associated with the ring I is a cam roller 8 which acts to depress the stem end trimming disc I to the proper point for the cutting away of a point of the stem end of the pear to remove the protruding stem.

The depressing of the ring I in accordance with the length of the pear fed into the ring, also in cooperation with the center 2, establishes the position of the calyx end of the pear so that when passing under the reference plane cutting disc, only a small portion of the calyx end of the pear is removed.

After passing between the trimming discs 6 and 1, and while still held by the clamps 5, the pear passes into the transfer zone illustrated in Figure 1 as aligning for transfer where a stemming tube 9 is brought into alignment with the reference axis established through the pear and at the same time there is brought into alignment with this axis the impaling blade II and calyx end reference stop II.

Prior to transfer of the pear from its position in the feed mechanism and from its established position as determined by the feed ring I and clamps 5, the stemming tube 9 is thrust up along the established reference axis as the impaling member II is thrust down into the calyx end of the pear until the reference plane stop II' is engaged upon the plane surface determined by the reference plane cutting disc 6. With the pear as thus gripped, it is elevated from the ring I as the clamps 5 are released and the stemming tube 9 passes through the opening formed inthe feed ring I, completing the transfer of the pear into thepeeling and coring turret. During the lifting of the pear from the ring the stemming tube 9 travels further along the stem reference axis and continues to be fed therealong during peeling operations.

Thus as the pear is progressed through the peeling operation, the stemming tube 9 is continuously advanced along the reference axis of the pear through the flesh of the pear to maintain the pear rmly against the reference plane stop I I against any tendency of the pear to drop out of position during the peeling operations. Thus it will be observed in Figure 1 that throughout the operations of transfer and peeling and until the pear is transferred off from the stemming tube 9, the stemming tube 9 is progressively fed along the' axis to maintain the reference plane end of the pear firmly forced against the stop II'. As thus supported upon the stemming tube 9 and as held from rotation by means of the blades I I, the pear is peeled by a plurality of peelers I2 which peel upwardly and spirally as will )hereinafter be set forth in the direction of the reference plane stop II. When the peeling operations are completed, the stop II is withdrawn as is indicated in Figure 1 at the step entitled Release of reference plane stop, and while the pear is held upon the stemming tube 9 and impaling member I I. it is gripped from the exterior by means of a pair of transfer clamps I3 which then act to force the pear in the direction of its reference axis along the tube I4 of the splitting member I0 over the blades I5 of the splitting member IIl, which completes the splitting of the pear into the two halves as the pear is located over the seed-podremoving knives I6 carried within a supporting blade I'I.

As the pear is located with its seed-cavity in proper position with relation to the coring knives I6, the knives I6 are rotated to cut out the core and, as will hereinafter be set forth, to trim and shape the calyx end of the pear.

The two halves of the pear are then released or discharged from the machine. It will be observed that throughout the operation of this method and through each element as lillustrated in Figure 1, the operations are conducted from the two references establishedI namely, the reference axis and the reference plane. Through each step there is provided a tube similar to the stemming tube 9 which maintains the pear on the reference axis as established by the center l and ring I.

The machine embodying my invention includes a feed turret A and a peeling turret B which may be operatively connected in timed relationship as disclosed in my copending application, Serial No. 355,988, led September 9, 1940, for Pear peeling machine. The feed turret A, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of this invention, includes the feed ring I into which the neck of the pear is fed with the stem end of the pear down. The feed turret also includes the centering pin 2v through the medium of which, in conjunction with the ring I, the vertical reference axis is established. Also the feed turret includes the clamps 5 for holding the pear on theestablished axis and the cutting discs 6 and 1 through the medium of which the reference plane transverse to the reference axis is established and the stem and calyx ends of the fruit are trimmed;

The means for operating these instrumentalities may be as follows: The feed mechanism, including the ring I, center 2 and clamps 5, are all carried in and are operated from a feed head I1 (Fig. 3)'. In the machine of my invention there are a plurality of such feed heads supported by the feed head revolving bracket I6, which is mounted upon the standard I9 and is secured to the feed head shaft 2li.l As the feed heads I1 are all of the same construction, I have herein illustrated one only-of such heads, together kwith its operating mechanism, for the purpose of simplicity,

Supported by the standard I9 and held stationary is a cam plate 2I which has a pair of cam races 22 and 23 formed therein for cooperation with the cam rollers carried on the operating arms of the feed head I1 as will hereinafter be set forth. The feed ring I is carried in the feed head I1 in such manner that its vertical position in the machine will be adjusted with relation to the length of the pear that it receives. The feed ring is thus carried by a supporting bracket 24 (Figs. 5 and 7) which in turn is pivotally secured to parallel links 25 and 26. The links 25 are pivotally secured at pins 21 carried by the bracket 28. The bracket 28 is secured to a shaft 29, which shaft is in turn journaled in the boss 30 of the oscillating plate 3| of the feed head I1. The plate 3I is pivotally mounted upon a supporting` pin 32 which in turn is journaled in the ears 33 of the bracket I8. The link 26 is pivoted on a pin 34 carried by the lvertical arm 35 of the bracket 24. The link 26 is pivoted on a pin 36 at its other end. The pin 36 is in turn journaled in a boss 36 on the supporting bracket 36. The bracket 36b is secured to the shaft 29.

Means are provided for holding the ring I in position as determined by the length of the fruit, which means include a resistance brake which is operatively .connected with the link 26 to enable initial determination of the position of the ring I according to the length of the fruit mounted therein.

This resistance means is preferably of the following construction and includes a cylinder 31 having a cam slot 38 formed therein. The cam slot 38 is formed of such pressure angle as to lock the ring I in determined position. A cam roller 39, carried by the link pin 48, fixed on the arm 26, travels in the cam slot 36. The cylinder 31 is mounted on a bushing 4I through which the securing pin 42 is passed and threaded into an arm 43a formed integral with the boss 36 which is mounted upon the shaft 29. The cylinder 31 also is secured to the friction disc 44 which carries a friction washer 45 ag-ainst which a. spring 46 mounted upon the bushing 4I exerts its pressure. A friction washer 41 is positioned on the other side of the friction disc 44 and is engaged by the boss 48 formed on the end of the lever 49. Carried on the free end of the lever 49 is a cam roller 58 which is adapted to engage the fixed spot cams 5I and 52 (Figure 3) carried by the cam plate 2|. The lever 49 is threaded to the upper end of the bushing 4 I A cap 53 is secured to the pin 42 and is formed with a stop arm 54 adapted to engage a stop pin 56 carried on the lever 49 to limit the rotation of the cylinder 31. As the feed head I1 is rotated (Figure 12), the cam roller 56 will first engage the spot cam 5I, lowering the feed ring I to the lowermost position to receive the pear. After the pear is fed into the ring I, the cam roller 58 engages the second spot cam 62, raising the ring. .n

The amount of raising of the ring I is dependent upon the length of the pear. The ring I will be raised only the amount as will properly position the calyx end with relation to the centering pin 2 which will arrest upward movement of the pear.

The further tendency of the roller 50 passing along the cam surface of the spot cam 52 to raise the ring I will overcome frictional resistance of the friction discs 45 and 41 operai/lng against the friction disc' 44, permitting movement of the cam roller 56 without rotation of the cylinder $1.

Prior to the ring I being moved upwardly, the center 2 is moved down into position to pass into the calyx end of the pear .and provide the stop to arrest upward movement of the pear. The

stop provided by the center 2 determines the position of the pear at which the reference plane cutting disc acts.

The ring I is made in varying sizes for different sizes of fruit, which are generally graded before peeling.

The center 2 (Figures 9 and 10) is carried at the end of an arm 56, which arm 56 is in turn secured to a toggle plate 51. The plate 51 is pivotally connected by means of a pin 58 with the actuating links 59. The plate 51 is also connected by means of a pin 6I) to the ears 6I of the stationary arm 43l carried by the shaft 29.

The opposite end of the links 59 are pivoted to actuating links 63. The actuating links 63 are in turn pivotally connected at a pin 64 to the bracket 28 journaled on the shaft 29. The actuating links 63 carry a cam roller 65 which is adapte-d to ride in the cam slot 66 of the cam 61. The cam 61 is journaled in a boss 6B, which boss is formed as an extension of the bracket 28. Secured to the cam shaft 69 is a double cam arm 10 carrying spaced cam rollers 1I and 12. The

cam rollers 1I and 12 are adapted to engage the spot cams 13 and 14 carried by the cam ring 2| (Figure 12). 'I'he cams 13 and 14, acting in conjunction with the rollers 1I and 12, determine the intervals of raising and lowering of the center 2 during the operation of the machine, as will hereinafter be described.

The pear as fed into the ring I is positioned therein by means as above described and is thus positioned with its stem end down in such manner that there is established through the pear a 4reference axis determined by the center 2 and ing the downward thrusting of the impaling blade Il and the thrusting of the stemming tube 9 upward into the flesh oi' the pear along the reference axis. This clamping means may be of the following construction and mode of operation:

The clamps are preferably of concave shape and their gripping faces may be lined with resilient pads 15 formed of any suitable material such as soft or sponge rubber. The two clamps 5 to,- gether provide a three point gripping of the butt of the pear as will be hereinafter specifically described. The clamps 5 are carried on the clamp arms 18 (Fig. 8) on diametrically opposed positions with relation to the pear to engage the outer surface of the pear, preferably at or near its butt. The arms 16 are carried by toggle brackets 11, one of which is journaled upon the shaft 62 and the other of which is journaled upon a parallel shaft 18. The shaft 18 is journaled in a bracket 19 formed as an extension of the bracket 38h.

The corresponding arms 88 of the brackets 11 are connected by means of a spring 8| which acts to rotate the arms 16 to' a position to contact the clamp 5 with the previously positioned pear. The other arms 82 of the toggle brackets 11 are connected together by means of a pin 83 adapted to ride in the slots 94 formed in each of the arms 82.

Carried .by each of the shafts 82 and 18 are concentric lock plates 85 which extend toward each other and are provided with curved ends 86 forming lock surfaces between which a wedge 81 is adapted to be thrust to hold the clamps in position of engagement with the surface of the pear after they have assumed their positions as determined bythe position of the pear in the ring The wedge 81 is carried on a pivot pin 88 at the end of the lock arm 89. The lock arm 89 is in turn journaled on the shaft 18.

Means are provided for actuating the wedge 81 to move the same into position between the lock plates 85 and for extracting the lock plate when it is desired to open or close the clamps 5. This means is preferably of the following construction: Formed as an extension of the lock arm 89 is a lock release arm 98. 'I'his lock release arm 98 is positioned to be engaged by a cam 9|. The cam 9| is secured to the shaft 93. Also secured to the shaft 93 is a cam bracket 92.

Carried in the cam bracket 92 is a cam roller 94 and a, cam shaft 95. The shaft 93is journaled on a boss 96 which has an extension arm 91. Secured between the extension arm 91 and the lock release arm 98 is a spring 91a which normally acts to urge the arm 98 in a counter-clockwise direction, which thereby acts to urge the lock wedge 81 between the lock faces 88 of the lock plates 95, thus locking the clamps 5 in their contacting position against opening. Also journaled on the shaft 18 is a cup actuating arm 16B. The arm 16 is positioned to be engaged by the cam roller 94.v Secured to the shaft 18 to rotate with the arm 158L is a cup release arm 16'J which is connected through the medium of a release plate 16c to the pin 83. Secured to the cam shaft 93 is the cam roller 95a which is carried on a shaft 96b seadjust themselves to the contour of thepear as permitted by the pin 83 riding in the slots 84, with the cam 9| out of engagement with the lever 98, the spring 91 acts to force the wedge 81 into position between the lock plates 85. thereby locking the cups in contact and against the pear.

With the fruit clamped between the clamps 5 on its previously determined reference axis, the feed head |1 moves forward to the position where the two ends of the pear are cut.- During this movement the center 2 has moved away from the pear calyx as heretofore described. The calyx end of the pear is cut to form the flat reference plane transverse to .the reference axis and the stem end of the pair is cut to trim the fruit and remove the protruding stem. For this purpose I employ the reference cutting disc 5 and the stem end trimming disc 1 (Figure 11)..

The two clamps 5 (Fig. 8) are formed to provide a three point contact with the butt-of the pear. One clamp 5 is formed with spaced clamp sections 5El and 5b while the other clamp 5 is formed with a contact surface of a. radius greater than the radius of the butt of the pear.' The two point clamp is pivotally supported on the holder so as to have freedom of movement to enable the same to rotate to position to contact at the two points. The one point clamp is fixed to its supporting rod 16.

Carried by the ring is the cam roller 8 which engages the slide arm 98 to move the stem end trimming disc 1 downwardly a distance determined by the position of the ring I as fixed by the length of the pear. The cutting disc 1 is secured to a shaft 99, which shaft is journaled in a bearing |88. The bearing |88 is connected to the parallel links |8| and |82 which are in turn pivotally secured by the pins |83 and |84 to the shafty housing |85. A spring |86 is connected with one of the links I8I at one end and at its opposite end to the plate arm |81 of the shaft housing |85. The spring acts to yieldably urge the disc 1 to its uppermost position as determined by the limiting arm |88 having the arcuate slot |89 in which the pin ||8 carried by the housing ts. The drive shaft together with its housing |85, is supported in a bracket ||2 secured to the cam plate 2|.

The bearing |88 is supported by the parallel links |8| and |82. The shaft is driven through a suitable pulley and .belt drive from a countershaft ||3 (Figure 2) supported in a bearing mounted upon the standard I9. The pulley and belt connection ||4 connects the shafts and 99 in driving relation.

Supported in an extension ofthe bracket ||2 is the reference plane cutting disc drive shaft 5. The reference plane cutting-disc 8 is secured'to and driven by this shaft. 'I 'he shaft ||5 is supported in the bracket ||2 in ajournal housing H8. The shaft ||5 is driven by a suitable drive connection from the shaft From the foregoing it will be seen that as the pear is moved between the discs 6 and 1, there Kis formed at the calyx end of the pear the reference plane |1a while the stem end of the fruit is being trimmed by the cutting disc 1.

The operation of the feed head |1 around the feed turret may be similar to that disclosed in my copending application, Serial No. 382,650. The

similarity may be such that the feed ring is caused to pause as the head |1 continues to rotate in order to give a longer period of time for the operator to feed the pear into the ring.

As in my copending application herein referred io, at the instant of transfer of the pear from the feed turret A to the peeling turret B, the movement of the ring l and its counterparts of the feed turret I1 may he' caused to travel the arc of movement, of the stemming tube 9 around 'the main turret. As, however, this particular method of operation and the mechanism for accomplishing it is the subject matter of my copending application, Serial No. 382,650, andas the invention of my present application is not limited to either the provision ofthe dwell of the feed ring during the feeding operation or causing the feed ring I and its counterpart-s to travel the arc of rotation of the stemming tube 9 during transfer, I have not deemed it necessary to herein set forth fully the means which are provided for effecting such a dwell or for causing the -continuity of travel of the feed ring I and stemming tube 9 during the instant of travel. The only modification of the mean-s provided for operating the feed head |1 and for controlling its movement during the time it is traveling around thf'column I9 as compared with the disclosure of my copending application, Serial No. .382,650, is found in the plate 2|. In this plate 2| I have formed the two cam tracks 22 and 23 in which the cam rollers I |1 and I I8 are mounted. The cam roller ||8 is mounted on the cam shaft I I9. The cam roller I I1 is journaled on the shaft |20. The shaft |20 is supported in the bos-s |2| formed integral with the casting from which the arm 43 is extended.

The oscillating plate 3| which supports the feed head I1 is an angled plate including the two angled sections 2|a and 2|. The feed head I1 is journaled on the shaft 29 Aat the outer end of the angled -section 2|". The shaft |20, supporting the cam roller ||1, i-s journaled in a sleeve |22 formed at the end of the arm |23 secured to the shaft 93.

'Ihe cam races 22 and 23 (Figure 3) are so formed as to act in cooperation with the cam rollers ||1 and I|8 (Figure 5) as to cause the plate 3| to have a movement when passing around the standard |9 substantially as described in my copending application, Serial No. 382,650, hereinabove referred to, i. e., to cause the feed head, or rather the feed ring I, to dwell at lthe feeding position Iso as to give the operator a longer period of time to position the pear in the feed ring and also as to cause the feed ring .to travel in a direction conforming with the arc of travel of the stemming tube 9 during the interval of transfer of the pear from the feed turret or feed device to the stemming tube 9 of the peeling turret B.

With the pear thus transferred to the stemming tube 9 and held from rotation by means of the impaling member Il, the same is carried around the .peeling turret on the stemming tube 9 during the peeling operation and until the pear is transferred from the stemming tube 9 onto or over -a splitting blade I and to position on the plate I with relation to the coring knife IB, as

`will hereinafter be set forth.

In all of these operations the reference axis formed in the pear and the reference plane formed by the cutting disc 5 provide reference points from which the operations are performed.

The peeling turret embodied in the machine of my present invention includes means for carrying out the operations of 1) impaling the fruit on the stemming tube 9, (2) peeling the fruit, (3) transferring the peeled fruit by the medium of the exterior clamps I3 off of the stemming tube 9, and conveying lthe fruit over the splitting blade I0. Prior to movement of the fruit off the stemming tube 9, the reference stop is moved out 10 of stopping position. (4) Coring and shaping the calyx end of the fruit while held by the clamps I3 so that when the clamps I3 are released the two peeled, cored and trimmed halves of each pear may be discharged from the machine.

In these operations the impaling turret is of the same construction as set forth in my co- .pending application, Serial No. 355,988, filed September 9, 1940, with the exception that (a) the peeling means is of a different construction and operates upon a different mode of operation from that set forth in my said earlier application above referred to; (b) the means provided for actuation of the reference plane stops to move the stops into and out of position during the different steps of the operation ofthe machine, which means are not found in my copending application, and (c) the provision of a modified form of calyx end trimming means which operates in conjunction with Ithe fruit coring means. Therefore, in describing the machine as herein illustrated, it is deemed only essential to set forth the differences and addition-s to the pear preparation machine of my earlier copending application. For the specific and detailed operation of the main turret, reference is had to my said copending application.

As in my copending application, :the main turret includes a stationary central column |28 mounted upon the base plate |25. The main turret operating means is supported upon, and rotates around, .this column |26. Journaled on the column |26 is a spider |21 which is driven by the gear |28 which meshes with the main drive gear |29. The drive gear |29 is journaled upon the shaft |20 of the feed turret so that a timed relationship is established between the drive of ythe feed turret and the spider |21. The spider is formed with an internal ring gear |30 and a plurality of spider arms I3I. The arms |3I receive drive rods |32 which pass through bosses |33 formed in the peeling 4plate |34, whereby the peeling plate |34 is caused to revolve with the spider |21. Secured :to the column |26 above the spider 21 is a stemmi`f 'f tube 9 reciprocating cam ring |35.

The means in vthe peeling turret for actuating the stemming tube 9 are similar to the means as set forth in my aforesaid copending application, the difference being primarily in the formation of the stemming tube actuating cam ring |35, which is secured Ito the column |26 above .the spider |21. In this case the cam ring is formed in such manner as to produce a vertical movement of the stemming tube 9 so `that after the stemming tube 9 impales the fruit thereon at the interval of .transfer of the fruit from the-feed turret to -the main turret, the stemming tube 9 is caused to continue its vertical movement at a rate to at all times maintain an upward thrust along the stem of vthe fruit so that the fruit is -continuously urged :upwardly against the reference .plane stop Il' during the peeling operation and until the fruit is gripped from the exterior by means 'of the cups or clamps i3 when the stemming tube 9 is withdrawn from the fruit and is returned to the position to be impaled through another fruit. 'I'he difference in construction therefore is vonly in fthe formation of the cam ring |35 and in other respects the means for actuating the stemming tube 9 .is the same as in my aforesaid copending case.

The means for driving the peeling assemblies and for driving the outer column |36 in my present machine, as well as for driving the reference stop Il actuating means, differ from those of my copending application. This drive is soformed as to provide a means in conjunction with the peeling assemblieswhich permits the changing of the number of cuts made on each pear in cutting the peeling therefrom as will hereinafter be described. This change of the number of cuts made in removing the peeling from a pear is particularly advantageously employed in handling pears of different sizes to insure a minimum of waste of fruit in the peeling operation.

The drive means as herein illustrated includes a pinion shaft 31 which is journaled in a boss I 38 formed in the cam ring |35. Secured to the shaft |31 is a pinion |39 which meshes with the teeth of the internal ring gear |30. On its opposite end the shaft |31 is secured to a pair of gears |40, I4I. These gears |40 and I4I, as will hereinafter be set forth in further detail, drive the cylindrical sleeve |42 through gear teeth |43 formed thereon.

As illustrated in Figure 14, the pinion |4I is in mesh with the teeth I 43. The cylindrical sleeve |42 is journaled on a bearing |44 positioned upon a shoulder |45 of the column |26. A supporting cap |46 is threaded to the upper end of the sleeve |42 and forms the upper retaining and supporting ring for the sleeve |42 and bearing |44. Secured to the upper end of the sleeve |42 is the oscillating peeler head cam ring |81. Secured to the column I 26 is a stationary gear ring |463. Carried by the revolving peeler plate |34 are peeler head pinion shafts |49. There is one such shaft |49 for each peeler head. These shafts |49 are rotated by pinions |48 which mesh with the ring gear |46. The shafts |49 are journaled in bosses |50 formed through the peeler plate |34.

Formed integrally with the shafts |49' above the peeler plate |34 are elongated peeler assembly drive pinions I the teeth of which are elongated in order to maintain mesh with the continuously driven gears |52 of the peeler heads during vertical reciprocation thereof. Above the pinions |5| theshafts |49 are continued and are journaled in supporting rings |53 and |54 carried by the rotating column |36. Above the rings |54 each of the shafts I 49 is provided with a drive pinion |55 which meshes with gear teeth |56 of lthe reference stop II actuating cam ring |51.

The cam ring |51 is journaled on the rotating column |36 above the ring |54 and remains relatively stationary due to the action of the pinion |55 acting against the gear teeth |56. The cam ring |51 provides the means for actuating the reference stops II as will hereinafter be fully set forth.

The rotating column |36 which surrounds the stationary column |26 is driven with the peeling plate I 34 due to the drive transmitted through the drive rods |32 which are driven by the spider arms |3| from the spider |21. As the column |36 is an integral part or is rigidly connected to the peeling plate |34, it rotates with the peeling plate 34.

The means provided in accordance with my present invention forv actuating the blades I5, the gripping cups I3, and the coring mechanism I6, are the same means which are described in my copending application, Serial No. 355,988, so that they need not be repeated in detail here. As in my copending case, the rotating column |36 is supported upon a thrust bearing |58 positioned upon a shoulder |59 of the stationary column |26 by means of a load-supporting ring |60 which is secured to the upper end of the column |26,

I2 Secured to the column |26 above the bearing |58 is a stationary actuating cam cylinder III. Mounted to reciprocate within the cam cylinder I6I is the slide |62 which carries the splitting blade I5. This slide is reciprocated due to the action of the cam roller |53 in the cam way |54 formed in the camcyllnder I 6I. Also mounted within and actuated by the cam cylinder I6I and the rotating column |36 are the actuating means for the gripping clamps or cups I3, the construction and operation of which is the same as in my copending case. Also supported within and actuated in the same manner as in my copending case are the coringunits I6 which receive the peeled and split pears after they pass over the splitting blade I0 and while they are held within the clamps I3 upon the blades I5..

The reference stop actuating means as herein illustrated is of the following construction (Fig. 15) Secured to, or formed integral with the impaling blade slide |62 is a bracket |65 within which are journaled a pair of meshing gears |66 and |61.

Secured to supporting shafts |68 and |69 for the said gears are reference stop supporting arms |10 to the outer end of which the halves of reference stops |I are secured. One of the gears, for example the gear |61, meshes with the gear segment |1I which is formed integral with the cam arm |12 which carries the actuating cam roller |13. on a pin |14 which is journaled in the rings |11 and |18 on the column |36.

The cam ring |51 therefore actuates the reference stops Il to bring the reference stops around the tube I4 of the splitting member I0 prior to the vertical thrust of the stemming tube 9 along the axis of the pear so that the action of thrusting the stemming tube 9 forces the pear at its previously formed transverse reference plane against the reference stop II. The reference stops II remain in this position throughout the peeling operation and until the pear is gripped from its exterior by the clamps I3, when the reference stops are moved out of the path of the pear as the clamps I3 act to force the pear across the splitting blade I0.

The peeling heads of the pear peeler of my present invention are preferably of the following construction and mode of operation:

As in my earlier application, Serial No. 355,988, the main turret carries six peeling assemblies. However, this number may be varied, depending upon conditions. Each ofthe peeling assemblies includes a base casting which is secured to a square guide rod I8I. The guide rod |8| passes through a square boss |82 formed in the peeling plate |34 and is secured to a cam block |83 below the peeling plate |34. The cam block |83 is guided in a vertical way |84 formed in a casting |85 carried by the guide tubes |86 which are mounted on the drive rods |86 (Fig. 2). The

cam ring |81 is secured to the sleeve |42 and provides a cam way |88 within which the cam roller |89 carriedby the block |83 rides, thus causing the base casting |60 to move vertically as the main turret revolves. 'I'he cam ring |81 revolves in the opposite direction to the peeling plate |34 due to the reversing of the direction of drive through the gear chain which drives the cam ring |81. The reversing of the direction of rotation of the cam ring |81 permits me to form the greater /cam length required for the multiple reciprocation of the peeling heads.

The base casting |80 is formed integral with The gear segment I1I is journaledv 

